method= param ignored?

I haven't had any success using the
"method=ftp://ip.of.server/path/to/dir/that/contains_'RedHat'_dir"
parameter at the boot: prompt. (RHEL3)  The GUI prompt for install
method appears, and installation proceeds if the same server and path
are entered there, or, if the 'url  --url...' line is supplied in a
kickstart file.  The parameter is documented in command-line.txt in the
anaconda documentation. 

The full text used at the 'boot:' prompt:
linux ip=x.x.x.x dns=x.x.x.x gateway=x.x.x.x netmask=x.x.x.x method=...
[and I've tried w and w/o ks=<url.to.ks.cfg>]  All the other parameters
are parsed as expected.  Also, the 'method=...' param does show up in
/proc/cmdline as entered.

Suggestions?  Anyone using 'method=...' successfully?

thanks,
Ed